Leather overcoat

[Dinerman]

I'm used to seeing the german overcoats which wrap around, with the internal snap belt and the external belt securing the front, with the downturned lapels, front and back yokes and slash handwarmer pockets. This one's a bit of a departure from that style, with more traditional overcoat styling and a full double breasted button front. The style and the riri zipper, which looks similar to an early/mid '30s talon, makes me think this is a pre-war coat, probably intended for motorcycling, going by the leg straps. If anyone can shed any light on this, I'd really appreciate it.

The coat reminds me of the one worn in "M"

 

[Dinerman]

Now I know it's not an A-2 repro or something by Aero, so there's not much interest, but surely someone has to be able to shed some light on how to date this.

 

[Sierra Charriba]

During my years as Red Army reenactor, I used an original russian black leather overcoat, still in my wardrobe. You can find some good examples, looking the online shops of reenactment specialists from Ukraine and Russia, but the purchase can be hazardous: some vendors are not very serious.

 

[Dinerman]

Several brands of snaps. Looks like it was put together with whatever was on hand, as all are the same size.

Main buttons

Buttons for missing winter liner

Zipper

ring for inner belt

buttonholes which weren't put in the vent. No buttons or evidence of on the other side.

 

[Dinerman]

Reinforced passthrough...

...Attached to a ring, which can be worn inside or outside of the coat.

Collar closure

Stitch marks on shoulders. Shoulderboards?

Overall shot

 

[Peacoat]

You might also consider that this was a Cavalry coat. It appears it has a slit in the back that would allow for sitting on a horse, along with the leg straps to hold in place the bottom of the coat. I have several riding coats that are made like the one you have. Of course the same could be said for a motorcycle coat as well. Motorcycle jackets aren't made that way today, but back then, probably so.

 

[Dinerman]

Just scored this for $15.

 

[Edward]

You might also consider that this was a Cavalry coat. It appears it has a slit in the back that would allow for sitting on a horse, along with the leg straps to hold in place the bottom of the coat. I have several riding coats that are made like the one you have. Of course the same could be said for a motorcycle coat as well. Motorcycle jackets aren't made that way today, but back then, probably so.

That was my first instinct; a lot of those early despatch rider coats were less a motorcycle jacket, more an evolution or even simple repurposing of a cavalry jacket.